Interview:

Eric Wald, Los Angeles, CA. I moved to LA in 1998 and enrolled in the UCLA MFA screenwriting program. I wrote a script my first quarter there and entered it in the year-end student contest. I didn't win, but one of the judges from Brillstein-Grey liked the script and wanted to develop it. After a few rewrites, we sold it as a first look to Miramax. The screenplay, VIEW FROM THE TOP, was eventually produced starring Gwyneth Paltrow. The final movie was vastly different from my original script (they hired six writers after me). It did, however, jump-start my career, and I have since written scripts for Columbia, Paramount, New Line, Fox 2000, and RKO, along with TV pilots for NBC, Fox and WBTV. Prior to working as a screenwriter, I was a ghostwriter for a food and wine journalist. I live in Los Angeles with my wife, 15-month old son, and 12-year old dog.

Is "A Man in Uniform" your first script? If not, what else have you completed?

It's my first short screenplay. I've probably written about twenty features.

Why did you write "A Man in Uniform"? And how long did it take you to write it?

I was getting frustrated spending all this time writing features that never got produced. I thought a short script would have a better chance, and I wanted to direct it as well.

I came up with the concept for A MAN, IN UNIFORM and I couldn't fall asleep that night with all the ideas bouncing around in my head. I finally sat down at my computer around one in the morning and wrote it in a few hours. It came out almost fully formed, I didn't really edit it after that.

Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?

I usually start writing around 10 am and work until about 4 or 5 pm. Most of that time is spent browsing the internet, playing with my son, walking the dog, doing whatever it takes to avoid actual writing.

I spend a lot of time doing very detailed outlines. The first draft then usually comes pretty quickly, about 20 pages a week. Then the grueling process of rewriting begins, which can last up to six months or a year, depending on the project.

What inspires you to write?

Just trying to capture characters or moments that really excite me. Great movies inspire me as well.

Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

My family. Bicycle racing. Movies. Architecture. Anything that makes me laugh.

What influenced you to enter the Movie Script Contest?

I liked that the winning script gets produced.

Do you feel that screenwriting contests are worthwhile for writers and why?

This is only the second one I've entered. The first one got my career going. So, yes, for me they've been great. I think you need to be somewhat strategic about which ones to enter, since the entry fees can add up.

Who is your favorite screenwriter or writer and why?

Paddy Chayefsky, Cameron Crowe, James Brooks, Bo Goldman, Colin Higgins, Terry Southern-all great, funny, heartfelt storytellers.

Any advice or tips you'd like to pass on to other writers?

Much of the time, writing sucks. It's a lonely, frustrating, soul-crushing endeavor. Just know it's hard for everyone. Write what you're passionate about. In the early stages of a script, don't let other people's opinions influence you too much. Re-write a lot. Don't rush a script to the marketplace until it's truly polished. Once you finish a script, start writing the next one.

What's next for you?

I just sold a TV pilot to Warner Bros. Television. I'm writing a comedy feature spec and will hopefully be going out with a feature pitch soon.